Self concealing non detach easy open end device

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to an easy opening end unit for a container which includes an end panel having a weakening line defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of the end panel, a pull tab having a handle portion and a connecting portion joined to each other by a hinge, a rivet securing the connecting portion to the tear panel, and the panel having a projecting rupturing nose overlying a portion of the weakening line outboard of the tear panel whereby upon relative hinging motion of the panel portion the rupturing nose forms a vent opening in the end panel and upon continued relative rotation of the handle portion, the remainder of the weakening line is ruptured to dispose the tear panel generally interiorally of an associated container.

United States Patent [191 Novak [451 Oct. 7, 1975 SELF CONCEALING NON DETACH EASY OPEN END DEVICE James B. W. Novak, Glen Ellyn, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

New York, NY.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 478,611

[75] Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,749,275 7/1973 Smith, Jr. et al. 220/269 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney, Agent, or Firm Diller, Brown, Ramik & Wight [5 7] ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to an easy opening end unit for a container which includes an end panel having a weakening line defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of the end panel, a pull tab having a handle portion and a connecting portion joined to each other by a hinge, a rivet securing the connecting portion to the tear panel, and the panel having a projecting rupturing nose overlying a portion of the weakening line outboard of the tear panel whereby upon relative hinging motion of the panel portion the rupturing nose forms a vent opening in the end panel and upon continued relative rotation of the handle portion, the remainder of the weakening line is ruptured to dispose the tear panel generally interiorally of an associated container.

17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oqt. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,910,454

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,910,454

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SELF CONCEALING NON DETACH EASY OPEN END DEVICE The present invention is directed to an easy opening end unit for a container, the end unit including an end panel and a weakening line defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of the end panel, a pull tab, means joining the pull tab to the tear panel, and the pull tab having means for rupturing the end panel generally along the weakening line and outboard of the tear panel to perform a venting function prior to the at least partial removal of the tear panel from the end panel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel easy opening end unit of the type immediately heretofor described wherein the pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge thcrebetween, the connecting portion being joined by the joining means to the tear panel, the rupturing means being a rupturing nose projecting toward the joining means, and the rupturing nose is of a predetermined configuration corresponding to a portion of the weakening line underlying the same.

A further object of this invention is to provide 'an easy opening end unit of the type heretofore described wherein the rupturing nose is curved in a direction opening concavely toward the underlying portion of the end panel such that the nose interlocks with the end panel at least temporarily during the formation of the vent opening.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel easy opening end unit of the type heretofore set forth wherein the joining means includes a rivet and the rupturing nose and weakening line portion contours are generally V-shaped as viewed in top plan.

In further accordance with this invention, the novel easy opening end unit heretofore described preferably operates as a first class lever during the formation of the venting opening and thereafter transfers to a sec ond class lever to effect the rupturing of the remaining portion of the weakening line by a pushing force exerted upon the handle portion toward the interior of an associated container.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a novel easy opening end unit constructed in accordance with this invention illustrating the same joined to a container, the end unit including an end panel having a weakening line defining a tear panel and having joined thereto by a rivet a connecting portion of a pull tab which includes a handle and a generally triangular rupturing nose.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the easy opening end unit of FIG. 1, and more clearly illustrates the configuration of the rupturing nose and a hinge joining the handle portion to the connecting portion of the pull tab.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view ofthe easy opening end unit, but illustrates the pull tab removed for clarity and the particular configuration of the weakening line and the tear panel defined thereby.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and illustrates the rupturing nose of the pull tab aligned with a starting portion of the weakening line. 7

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, and illustrates more specific details of the end unit including a rivet integrally formed from the end panel joining the connecting portion of the pull tab to the tear out panel.

FIG. 6 which appears on the sheet of drawings containing FIGS. 1 through 3, illustrates the handle portion after having been moved approximately to rupture a portion of the end panel outboard of the tear panel to form a vent opening.

FIG. 7 illustrates further clockwise rotation of the handle portion about the hinge to fully form the vent opening in the end panel and the handle portion positioned in overlying relationship to the tear panel for the application of downward pressure to sever the tear panel.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating in solid outline the progressive rupture of the weakening line and in phantom outline ,the eventual disposition of the tear panel within the container.

A novel easy opening end unit constructed in accordance with this invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 is is preferably joined to a container C (FIG. 5) by conventional double seam 11.

The end unit 10 is preferably, though not necessarily constructed from metallic material, and includes an end panel 12 of a generally circular configuration in which is formed a weakening line 13 in the form of a score line which includes a pair of tapering side score portions 14,15 rounding at one end and merging with a fold or hinge line 16 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The score line portions 14,15 blend with short score line portions 17,18 which in turn blend with relatively sharp score line portions 20,21. The short score line portions 20,21 define a generally triangular area 22 of the end panel 12 therebetween which is eventually ruptured to form a vent opening in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

A pull tab 25 is defined by a handle portion 26 having a raised concavely downwardly opening finger gripping portion 27 and a generally triangular rupturing'nose 28 which opens concavely downwardly toward the end panel 12 and is of a triangular configuration corresponding to the area 22 and the short severance lines 20,21 (FIG. 3). The handle portion 26 is joined at both sides of the rupturing nose 28 by hinges 30,31 to a connecting portion 32 of the pull tab 25 which is joined to the tear out panel 19 by an integral rivet 33 in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 5.

Assuming that access to a product (not shown) within the container C is desired and that the product is either pressurized or under a vacuum such that venting is desired, the finger grip portion 27 is employed to initially raise the handle portion 26 after which the same may be grasped and pivoted clockwise in the direction of the unnumbered headed arrow in FIG. 5 toward the position shown in FIG. 6. During this hinging about the hinge lines 30,31, the nose 28 is brought into forceful bearing contact with the sharp score lines 20,21 to progressively rupture the same causing the portion 22 of the end panel 12 to fold inwardly of the container C initiating the formation of a :vent opening V in the manner best shown in FIG. 6. Due to the concave curvature of the rupturing nose 28 as well as the triangular configuration thereof, the nose 28 and the portion 22 of the end panel 12 become interlocked and the handle portion 26 cannot move upwardly or outwardly of the narrow formed vent opening V. The vent opening V is fully opened upon continued clockwise hinging or pivoting of the handle portion from the position shown in FIG. 6 to that illustrated in FIG. 7. Until the position shown in FIG. 7 is reached. it is to be noted that the pull tab 25 and more specifically the handle portion 26 function as a first class lever. However, upon reaching the position shown in FIG. 7, a downward force is applied to the handle portion 26 in the direction of the unnumbered headed arrow associated therewith causing the portion 27 to bear upon the rivet 33 which in turn initially ruptures the short score line portions 17,18 and upon continued application of pressure (FIG. 8) the score lines 14,15 are progressively ruptured toward the fold line 16 resulting in the introduction of the tear panel 19 into the container interior until substantially totally disposed therein, as indicated in phantom outline in FIG. 8.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and disclosed herein. it is to be understood that certain modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

I. An easy opening end unit for a container or the like comprising an end panel, a weakening line in said end panel defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of said end panel, a pull tab. means joining said pull tab to said tear panel. and said pull tab having means for rupturing said end panel generally along said weakening line and outboard of said tear panel to perform a venting function prior to the at least partial removal of said ,tear panel from said end panel.

2. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge therebetween, and said joining means joins said connecting portion to said tear panel.

3. The easy opening end unit defined in claim I wherein said rupturing means is a rupturing nose pro-' jecting toward said joining means, said rupturing nose is of a predetermined configuration as viewed in top plan. and a portion of said weakening line underlying said rupturing nose is contoured correspondingly thereto.

4. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said rupturing means is a rupturing nose projecting front said handle :portion toward said joining means.

5. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said joining means includes a rivet.

6. The easy opening end unit defined in claim 1 wherein said pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge therebetween, said joining means joins said connecting portion to said tear panel, and said rupturing means is a rupturing nose carried by said handle portion projecting toward said joining means;

7. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said rupturing nose is of a predetermined configuration as viewed in top plan, and a portion of said weakening line underlying said rupturing nose is contoured correspondingly thereto.

8. The easy opening end' unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said rupturing nose and weakening line portion contours are generally V-shaped.

9. The easy opening end unit as defined in claiin8 wherein said joining means includes a pivotv l0. An easy opening end unit for a container or the like comprising an end panel, a weakening line in said end panel defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of said end panel, a pull tab. said pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge therebetween, means joining said connecting portion to said tear panel, said handle portion having aprojecting rupturing nose generally over lying a portion of said weakening line outboard of said tear panel to form a vent opening in said end panel upon relative hinging motion of said handle portion rel.- ative to said connecting portion about said hinge, said pull tab initially functioning as a first class lever during the formation of said vent opening. and upon continued hinging of said handle the pull tab functioning transfers to a second class lever. to effect the rupture of the re-v maining portion of the weakening line by a pushing force exerted upon said handle portion.

1]. The easy opening end unit asdefined in claim 10 wherein said handle portion contacts said joining means during the operation of said pull tab as a second class lever.

12. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 1 1 wherein said joining means is a rivet.

13. The easy opening end unit'as defined in claim 1 wherein said rupturing means includes a nose carried by said pull tab. and said nose is disposed outboard of said weakening line.

14. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said nose projects toward said weakening line.

15. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said pull tab further includes a handle portion and a connecting portion. said nose is disposed between said handle portion and said connecting portion.' said joining means joins said connecting portion to said tear panel, and hinge means for hingingly connecting said pull tab to said connecting portion to either side of said nose.

16. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 15 wherein said nose projects toward said weakening line 17. The easy opening unit as defined in claim 16 wherein said nose is of a generally V-shaped configura tion converging in a direction toward said weakening line. and a portion of said weakening line underlying said nose is contoured corrspondingly thereto.

* l l k l 

1. An easy opening end unit for a container or the like comprising an end panel, a weakening line in said end panel defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of said end panel, a pull tab, means joining said pull tab to said tear panel, and said pull tab having means for rupturing said end panel generally along said weakening line and outboard of said tear panel to perform a venting function prior to the at least partial removal of said tear panel from said end panel.
 2. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge therebetween, and said joining means joins said connecting portion to said tear panel.
 3. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said rupturing means is a rupturing nose projecting toward said joining means, said rupturing nose is of a predetermined configuration as viewed in top plan, and a portion of said weakening line underlying said rupturing nose is contoured correspondingly thereto.
 4. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said rupturing means is a rupturing nose projecting from said handle portion toward said joining means.
 5. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 2 wherein said joining means includes a rivet.
 6. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge therebetween, said joining means joins said connecting portion to said tear panel, and said rupturing means is a rupturing nose carried by said handle portion projecting toward said joining means.
 7. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said rupturing nose is of a predetermined configuration as viewed in top plan, and a portion of said weakening line underlying said rupturing nose is contoured correspondingly thereto.
 8. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said rupturing nose and weakening line portion contours are generally V-shaped.
 9. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 8 wherein said joining means includes a pivot.
 10. An easy opening end unit for a container or the like comprising an end panel, a weakening line in said end panel defining a tear panel at least partially removable out of the plane of said end panel, a pull tab, said pull tab includes a handle portion and a connecting portion with a hinge therebetween, means joining said connecting portion to said tear panel, said handle portion having a projecting rupturing nose generally overlying a portion of said weakening line outboard of said tear panel to form a vent opening in said end panel upon relative hinging motion of said handle portion relative to said connectiNg portion about said hinge, said pull tab initially functioning as a first class lever during the formation of said vent opening, and upon continued hinging of said handle the pull tab functioning transfers to a second class lever to effect the rupture of the remaining portion of the weakening line by a pushing force exerted upon said handle portion.
 11. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 10 wherein said handle portion contacts said joining means during the operation of said pull tab as a second class lever.
 12. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 11 wherein said joining means is a rivet.
 13. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said rupturing means includes a nose carried by said pull tab, and said nose is disposed outboard of said weakening line.
 14. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said nose projects toward said weakening line.
 15. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said pull tab further includes a handle portion and a connecting portion, said nose is disposed between said handle portion and said connecting portion, said joining means joins said connecting portion to said tear panel, and hinge means for hingingly connecting said pull tab to said connecting portion to either side of said nose.
 16. The easy opening end unit as defined in claim 15 wherein said nose projects toward said weakening line.
 17. The easy opening unit as defined in claim 16 wherein said nose is of a generally V-shaped configuration converging in a direction toward said weakening line, and a portion of said weakening line underlying said nose is contoured corrspondingly thereto. 